Hello, Thanks for the add. I have a question about my Theraphosa blondi (Goliath bird eater). I've had her for about two months she was rather large when I purchased her, about 2.5 inch body length. She is now molting and unlike my other tarantula's she is not molting upside down but upside right, is this normal? She likes the humidity being on, when I shut it off, she would climb into the water bowl.
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Theraphosa blondi
- Thread starter AtomApple
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Hi there. No, that is somewhat unusual. I've had avics fall out of their webbing while molting and finished as they lay.
Can you post a pic of the spider mid-molt?
Can you post a pic of the spider mid-molt?
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I understand now. I thought it was actively molting dorsal side up. Not impossible for them to pop the hood and flip over.
The other behavior you describe however imply potential dehydration... do you keep the substrate moist?
Also, you're quite brave to handle T stirmi. Their urticating hairs are some of the worst of any species.
The other behavior you describe however imply potential dehydration... do you keep the substrate moist?
Also, you're quite brave to handle T stirmi. Their urticating hairs are some of the worst of any species.
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How long have you used the fogger? Do you use a screen lid?
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They will molt in all different positions. That's a stirmi by the way.
I've realized she is fine as long as I keep the humidifier running. It's when I forget to turn it back on after refilling the tank that's she climbs into the water. Thanks for letting me know that is why she climbs into the water, I'll keep an eye on her more closely.I understand now. I thought it was actively molting dorsal side up. Not impossible for them to pop the hood and flip over.
The other behavior you describe however imply potential dehydration... do you keep the substrate moist?
Also, you're quite brave to handle T stirmi. Their urticating hairs are some of the worst of any species.
Yes, I have a screen lid, I started fogging her about a week after I purchased her.
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Read Tom Moran's blog re Theraposa husbandry. You don't need a fogger, foggers are BS for tarantulas. T stirmi needs deep, damp substrate to burrow in. A water dish that's full all the time for drinking, not bathing. Your tarantula is dehydrated.
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- Queens, NY
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Think of humidity as a consequence, not something to achieve.
My stirmi's & blondi's are on moist substrate & have larger than normal water dishes. The mixture of a large water dish & moist substrate is higher humidity. But that is a consequence of how I keep them & not why I use damp substrate & a larger water dish.
Stirmi's & blondi's really need springtails in their substrate to stop mold. And if the substrate is not sufficiently moist for the springtails to thrive, then it is not sufficiently moist for your blondi / stirmi. Feed your springtails on dried yeast & they will provide a great service.
My stirmi's & blondi's are on moist substrate & have larger than normal water dishes. The mixture of a large water dish & moist substrate is higher humidity. But that is a consequence of how I keep them & not why I use damp substrate & a larger water dish.
Stirmi's & blondi's really need springtails in their substrate to stop mold. And if the substrate is not sufficiently moist for the springtails to thrive, then it is not sufficiently moist for your blondi / stirmi. Feed your springtails on dried yeast & they will provide a great service.
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